Mom. Wife. Busy Life.

Category: Summer

  • 10+ Delicious Blueberry Desserts

    Desserts using fresh blueberries are super tasty, especially during the summer months! Get creative this summer and create a variety of Blueberry Desserts!

    Here are several great recipe ideas below.

    blueberry desserts

    Summer is here which means the blueberries are in full swing! If you have an abundant number of blueberries and you’re not sure what to do with them, making tasty blueberry desserts is the perfect way to go.

    Blueberries are versatile and will work in just about any fruit dessert or can be used for a flavorful blueberry snack by themselves.

    Desserts with fresh blueberries are also often super simple to make and don’t take a lot of time.

    Summer Fruit Desserts

    Summer Appetizers

    If you are looking for some tasty blueberry desserts for the summer, or to enjoy all year long, this list is for you!

    Blueberry Desserts

    No Bake Berry Pie

    This pie recipe includes blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries!

    Strawberry and Blueberry Pudding Cups

    These easy to make pudding cups are perfect for the family and great to serve during 4th of July!

    Red, White, and Blue Jello Cups

    Another great idea for 4th of July, these Jello cups are fun and festive and include blueberries and strawberries.

    Patriotic Parfait

    If you want to try a parfait with blueberries, this tasty dessert includes granola, yogurt, and fresh berries.

    Blueberry Custard Pie

    Fresh blueberries, custard, and a sweet buttery streusel crumble, which is layered on top along with chopped pecans, makes for a delicious summer blueberry dessert.

    Blueberry and Banana Dessert Bread

    We typically think of banana bread or blueberry bread as a snack or breakfast idea, but why not top it with a sweet glaze to make it a dessert!

    Blueberry Muffin Fudge

    This fudge recipe uses fresh blueberries and melted white chocolate to create a quick dessert that you can grab and enjoy.

    Mini Blueberry Pies

    This is the perfect blueberry pie if you are looking to make a dessert for two! A crisp flaky pie crust and fresh blueberries are used to create this delicious blueberry pie.

    No Bake Berry Delight

    The perfect summer dessert that’s made with whipped cream, fresh fruit, wafers, and marshmallows! This dessert to easy to make and will be a favorite.

    Blueberry Cheesecake Mousse

    A light and fluffy dessert that mixes a blueberry and cheesecake taste together to create a heavenly delight.

    Blueberry Muffin Cheesecake

    Cheesecake that tastes like a blueberry muffin! This delicious dessert uses both fresh blueberries and a blueberry cheesecake to make a tasty dessert.

    Lemon Blueberry Cake

    Easy to make, this lemon and blueberry cake is bursting with the fresh, sweet, and tart flavors of lemon and blueberry.

    Blueberry Mascarpone Tart

    This tart is nothing short of delicious! The blueberry mascarpone tart includes a raspberry compote for extra flavor.

    Blueberry Delight

    A layered dessert recipe, this blueberry delight will be a hit with everyone who enjoys a summer blueberry dessert.

    Blueberry and Strawberry Dump Cake

    An extremely easy dump cake that combines the flavors of blueberries, strawberries, and coconut for a delicious dessert.

    Skillet Blueberry Crisp

    A simple fruit crisp that’s made for two, this blueberry crisp is made in a cast iron skillet for extra flavor when you are looking for something sweet to eat.

  • How to Protect Kids From the Sun

    How to Protect Kids From the Sun

    Do you want to learn how to protect kids from the sun? Keep reading for tips!

    The temperatures in South Carolina have been in the 100’s this week, the highest being 108. I check the weather app on my phone each day and it doesn’t look like there’s any relief from the heat any time soon. With the temperatures rising, I’m thankful for the pool passes that we decided to purchase for the summer. The neighborhood pool is less than a mile away from our house, so I’ve been packing up the kids to go swimming on a daily basis.

    Sun care is very important to me. My kids know our routine very well. They put on their swimsuits and I apply their sunscreen before we even step outside. Then, I apply my own sunscreen. It takes me a little while to cover each child generously, but that’s because it means that much to me to protect their delicate skin.

    How to Protect Kids From the Sun

    As a parent, it’s my job to make sure my children are protected from the sun and to make sure they don’t come home with sunburns. Sunburns in children increase the odds of developing skin cancer later in life. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer, yet only 20% use SPF daily. That’s a scary statistic!

    How to Protect Kids From the Sun

    Apply sunscreen regularly. 

    Look for a sunscreen with SPF 30+ or higher and reapply at least every two hours. Wear sunscreen even if you plan to be in the shade to protect your skin in case of UV exposure.

    Here’s a fun video to show the kids about why you should wear sunscreen:

    Why Should You Wear Sunscreen? | Body Science for Kids

    Wear protective clothing.

    Have your child wear a hat and sunglasses to protect your face, head, ears, neck, shoulders, and eyes from the sun.

    Take frequent breaks from the sun and stay in the shade if possible.

    Seek shade under a tree, picnic area, or pavilion if necessary or take frequent breaks by going inside a cool location regularly if possible.

    Try to avoid being outdoors during the hours of 10am-4pm.

    This is the hottest part of the day. Schedule activities during the morning or late evening hours.

    Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. 

    Pack plenty of water if you plan to be in the sun for a long period of time.

    These are just a few tips to help your family stay safe in the sun this summer.

    What tips do you have for staying safe in the sun? 

    15 Summer Activities for Kids

  • Sundae Fundae Ice Cream

    Sundae Fundae Ice Cream

    Treat the kids to a Sundae Fundae Ice Cream party! This is such a simple set up that you can do at home during the summer or at an event like a birthday party.

    Sundae Fundae Ice Cream

    The beginning of summer is approaching quickly.

    When I think of summer, I think of swimming, backyard BBQs, and plenty of ice cream.

    Ice cream is the perfect addition to any summer day. The best part about ice cream during the summer is that you can get as creative with it as you’d like.

    15 Summer Activities for Kids

    Summer Activities to Keep Kids Busy

    How to Make Your Own Popsicles

    With two young girls at home, we like to get fancy with our ice cream and add fun toppings and colorful sprinkles on top!

    With the summer just beginning, I thought it would be fun to have a “Sundae Fundae” with them when school gets out!

    Smuckers 3
    Smuckers 7

    After a day of swimming, I set up our Sundae Fundae bar outside for my girls.

    I didn’t tell them ahead of time that we were going to have sundaes so when they walked out to see the yummy treats set out for them, they were all smiles.

    I told my girls that they could get as creative as they wanted with their sundaes and add whatever toppings and sprinkles they wanted to.

    Smuckers 4

    The Smuckers Hot Fudge and Smuckers Magic Shell Chocolate Fudge toppings are exactly what my girls wanted!

    They poured their toppings onto their ice cream and then added sprinkles.

    After their sundaes were made, they sat down and enjoyed their sweet treats and had nothing but good things to say about their creations.

    My girls loved their chocolate toppings on their Sundaes. In fact, they loved “Sundae Fundae” so much, they asked me if we could do it again!

    Smuckers 5

    Our Sundae Fundae was a success and a great way to begin the summer. This was a memory made and one to cherish for a lifetime!

  • Are Your Kids Involved In Too Many Activities This Summer?

    Are Your Kids Involved In Too Many Activities This Summer

    Extracurricular activities are a great way for your kids to socialize with others, burn off some energy and learn important life skills. They are tons of fun, and there are always plenty to choose from.

    Unfortunately, however, when it comes to extracurricular activities, it is possible to have too much of a good thing. Are you worried that your children are involved in too many activities this summer? Here are five signs you will definitely want to watch out for.

    1. Your Child Doesn’t Seem Interested in the Activities Anymore

    While it is normal for your children to like some activities more than others, if your child suddenly dreads going to activities they previously loved, you probably want to start asking why. The most common causes are because something is going on (like bullying) or because your child is just plain tired from always going to so many activities. Either way, you will want to know so you can address the problem.

    2. Your Child Needs to Be Constantly Entertained

    As good as extracurricular activities are for children, a little bit of boredom is good for them as well. Having downtime with nothing to do forces kids to learn to use their imaginations and entertain themselves. If your child needs to be constantly entertained, it may be because they never have a break to learn how to deal with boredom.

    3. Your Child’s Demeanor Has Changed

    Has your child gone from energetic, fun and happy to constantly tired, worn out, anxious or irritable? A stuffed schedule might be to blame. While kids often seem like never ending balls of energy, the truth is that they need downtime to rest and recharge as well.

    4. Your Family Doesn’t Have Time for Other Activities

    When is the last time your family had dinner together or sat around playing cards or watching a movie? When your child is involved in too many activities, important family bonding moments like these often go by the way-side. If your family is constantly missing out on family experiences, it may be time to start eliminating things from your schedule.

    5. Your Family’s Relationships are Suffering

    When your schedule is jam-packed, it isn’t long until your relationships begin to suffer as well. Have you or your child stopped hanging out with old friends because you’re always too busy? Are relationships in your family suffering due to a lack of time together? As helpful as extracurricular activities are, having the time and opportunity to grow i relationships with others is every bit as important.

    How many activities is your child involved in this summer? Does that number seem just right for your family, or do you worry that it is too much?

  • How to Make Your Own Popsicles

    How to Make Your Own Popsicles

    How to Make Your Own Popsicles

    The warmer months are here to stay for a while and that means you’ll find us outdoors often with the family. We love this time of year because we are able to get outside and enjoy the weather together. Our favorite outdoor activities include going to the park, the swimming pool, taking nature walks, and playing in the yard. After long periods of time outdoors, my kids are ready for a delicious drink to enjoy when they come inside.

    I have many memories of Kool-Aid when I was a young girl. My mom would buy Kool-Aid packets (they were only $0.10 a packet!) by the dozen and we would make this delicious drink when we were kids. We’d pour the sugar into a pitcher, pour the contents of the packet in and fill the pitcher with water. Between four kids, the pitcher of Kool-Aid didn’t last very long. It was our favorite childhood drink growing up.

    Fast forward to adulthood. I now have three children that enjoy tasty beverages.

    I usually keep the freezer stocked with popsicles and we go through them so fast. This year, I decided I wanted to try to make our own popsicles made with Kool-Aid.

    How to Make Your Own Popsicles

    How to Make Your Own Popsicles

    Ingredients:

    • Kool-Aid Mix (Tropical, Cherry, or Grape flavor)
    • cold water
    • Pitcher
    • Spoon to stir
    • Funnel
    • Icy pop molds (I recommend these clear ice pop molds!)

    Directions:

    1. Make a batch of Kool-Aid by following the directions on the package.
    2. Open the clear ice pop mold and place the funnel tube inside.
    3. Pour Kool-Aid drink to the fill line and then zip to close.
    4. Place the icy pops in the freezer until frozen.

    Serve and enjoy!

    How to Make Your Own Popsicles

    Ice pops are easy to make! My kids are begging me for ice pops daily and I made plenty to last a while! I’m glad that I can give them tasty treats this spring and summer after their playtime that I know they will love.

    Here are more great popsicle recipes to enjoy:

    Homemade Popsicles: 5 Different Frozen Summer Treats

    Check out these popsicle idea books below:

    What flavor do you think your kids would like best?

    How to Create a Summer “Sundae Fundae”